Low-Clutter, Organizing-Inspired Ideas for the Mother’s in Your Life

Mother’s Day is fast approaching. (It’s Sunday, May 10!) If you’d like to honor the special women in your life (mom, wife, godmother, grandmother, auntie-who-treated-you-like-a-daughter, or any other wonderful supportive mom-figure), you are likely searching for the perfect gift right about now. Feeling a little stuck since you can’t get to a store? Amazon to the rescue! Rather than sending a bouquet that will wilt in a few days or yet another vanilla-scented candle, here are a few organizer-approved Mother’s Day Gift ideas that will be functional, fabulous, and low-clutter! All of these are from Amazon, so you can simply click to order and have items delivered to you or directly to your special lady. (And they are all Prime items, so they have free shipping for Prime members or any orders over $35!) I literally couldn’t make this easier for you! Plus, they are all 4-stars (or better) rated, so rest assured they are great products.

NOTE: Please order early… Amazon is prioritizing essential-need item delivery, so the typical 2-day shipping on non-essentials may take longer. Plan ahead and order now!

jewelry organizers:
she loves jewelry, hates the clutter

Rather than giving jewelry this Mother’s Day, why not gift her some jewelry organization? There are so many neat ways to contain all those necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets that you’ve gifted her over the years. There are hanging organizers, wall-mount, free-standing units, boxes… how to know what will work best? When in doubt, I recommend some neat little tray organizers. They can be tucked into a top drawer in the closet or bedroom, or left out on top of a dresser or vanity. They fit everyone 🙂 so you can’t go wrong. I especially like this one that is velvet-lined, which protects delicate jewelry. This one includes two smaller trays that can be stacked on top of the larger one if desired, saving space! At less than $20, this set is a steal! You can see them here.


q&a a day for moms: a 5-year journal:
she loves to keep lists

As a professional organizer, I love to make lists. (Big surprise, right?) And guess what? I’ve found that most moms do! Lists not only keep us on track, but they also help us get stuff “out of our heads” and onto paper. That means less stressed moms. So, along with list-making, I am a big fan of the uber-popular “bullet journals.” These are a non-intimidating option for documenting life without the pressure of writing perfectly-prosed paragraphs. Bullet journals cover years (often 3 or 5). Each page covers one particular date, and then there are five spaces (to cover five years) to jot some notes about that day, or to answer the one question/prompt at the top of the page. It is so fun to look back over the years to see what mom was doing on June 5 of last year, or to see how she answered a particular question over the years. I have a particular fondness for this process because my grandma did this long before it was “a thing,” and her journals now give me a glimpse into her daily (often mundane and frequently inspiring) life. There are dozens of options from which to choose (many around $10).


magazine subscription:
she loves to read but doesn’t have time

I love to read, but ever since I had kids and started my own business, I don’t have a ton of time or patience for it. (Meaning, life has constant interruptions, and by the time I can get back to a book, I’ve forgotten what happened in the last chapter!) But I don’t let that stop me. I started a love affair with magazines! I admit, I have a problem 😉 and subscribe to about a half dozen different publications at any given time. If the mom in your life loves to read but is time-starved, I highly recommend buying her a magazine subscription to whatever would spark her interest. Love to garden? Check out Country Gardens or Martha Stewart Living. Love food and cooking? Try Eating Well or Food Network Magazine. Love decorating? Try HGTV Magazine or Do It Yourself. Hop over to Amazon here and peruse the “magazine subscription” section. They are super affordable!


label maker:
she loves to find her stuff

Okay, don’t laugh at this one. It’s not exactly luxurious. It’s downright utilitarian. But if your gal loves to be organized, or she frequently searches for things, she might really enjoy the process of labeling! When she label containers, shelves, boxes, and the like, she will be intentionally declaring a “home” for categories of items. Labeling is one of the most important but often neglected, organizing steps. I like this one by Dymo. (It’s what I use.) Less than $30, easy to use, portable. What more could a gal ask for? You can see them here.


ember temperature control mug:
she loves coffee but it gets cold

This mug may not seem very “organize-y,” but really, it is. It’s about time, and organization is all about creating a life that allows us to spend time doing what we love (rather than wasting time searching for stuff). So once mom is organized (or even while she’s in the process of getting there), she needs to take time to relax and enjoy a good cup of coffee. But life happens, and busy moms get pulled away from their hot cup by a crying child (“Mom! I can’t find science textbook!”), an overflowing washing machine, or a pile of dog throw-up on the floor. Wouldn’t it be great if she could keep the coffee hot for hours on end? Enter the handy Ember Temperature Control Mug, which will keep her coffee or tea warm for one hour at the temperature she selects! Or use the included charging coaster to make it last ALL DAY. This baby isn’t cheap (about $80), but she will use it every day (thinking of you each time, I promise!) and is a luxury that is also a necessity. I want one now. You can see it here.


Hopefully, these Mother’s Day Gift ideas will inspire you to think outside the “flowers and chocolates” box for mom this Mother’s Day. If you have any other fun ideas, be sure to share them with all of us in the comments section below! You can also find my recommendations for organizing-related books here.


Note: The above article contains affiliate links, which allows me to earn a small commission on some items at no additional cost to you.